Mary rules out taking RTE hot seat when Anne quits news slot

Alexandra Ryan
– 30 September 2011 04:00 PM

RTE star Mary Kennedy has no plans to take over from Anne Doyle on the Nine O'Clock News if she decides to retire.

With speculation mounting that popular news anchor Anne has chosen to take voluntary redundancy from the station, former newsreader and Nationwide presenter Mary has been tipped to take over the role and head back to the newsroom.

However, Mary told the Herald last night that she loves her role on Nationwide and wouldn't want to change a thing.

"I don't have any plans to go back to news. I am perfectly happy with what I am doing right now. I really love doing the show now. Some people don't like driving long distances but I actually love it. I love getting into the car and driving by myself. There is always a lovely sense of anticipation when I head down the country.

"News is interesting but I love working with communities, it's something that is very important to me. And I love the positive nature of the stories," she explained.

Mary has been busy penning her second book of favourite quotations. The RTE star says this book represents a different aspect of her life.

Different

"I have a book coming out, the launch is on October 12. It's a follow up from the last book Lines I Love. It was about quotations I loved and why and this one is called Lines For Living. This is different because I am at a different stage of my life.

"Four years later and my children have grown up now and are leaving home so there is a different perspective on my life," she said.

Mary made the comments while hosting a fundraiser night at the Anglers Rest bar in aid of Playing For Life, a charity set up by RTE front line sports commentator Tracy Piggott.

As one of the country's best-known broadcasters, Mary says she feels it's important to give something back.

"This is a charity that I have been travelling with and working with since 2006. It works in small areas in a few impoverished countries. The last time I went out I went to Tanzania, we set up computer classes and built a community centre.

"The people out there are very poor and are really delighted to make the most of their lives so it's a great charity," she said.